Monday, December 28, 2009

did christmas happen?
i must have missed it.
the eve was a rush, work all day, two parties at night.
the day was slower.. j taught me how to make his famous meatballs.
we partied at night.
my cousins taught me how to play mad gab.
is statue gnaw king = is that you knocking?

we were finally able to share dad's big news (wedding bells?)!
& another year of health & happiness in our family.
some members still were absent, but it did not put a damper on our holidays.

gifts galore.
my husband does not understand budgets or limits.
i know i should not brag/complain.

minion has a new bed.
he still won't sleep on it.
& he already chewed to pieces ALL of his new toys!

to work today.
drove to school.
class was cancelled.
real life is back.

Saturday, December 19, 2009

i had big plans for the weekend.
now we're snowed in.
i'm not complaining.
we have provisions: tostitos & diet coke.
minion's last experience with snow he was a pup & sunk in.
minion's experience today was different, he didn't want to come inside.

last night we celebrated j's bday (one month late) with my mom &
kate's graduation!
our christmas party for tonight has been cancelled.

tomorrow we have tickets for the EAGLES game.
at first i was going to bail,
until a friend convinced me...
if she can handle it with a baby on board,
i can handle it too.
hopefully the california boys won't be able to handle the snow.
& the boys from philly will be victorious!

it's too early for our lake to be frozen,
but if the temp stays low hopefully it will feeze by new years!

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

10 things that currently make me happy... so here they are (in no particular order):

1. Etsy - my store has been really successful this year & i love spending weekends with my mom at auctions & estate sales shopping to stock up the store; sad part is that i probably spend more money shopping on etsy than i make!

Friday, December 11, 2009

check out my linklove.
updated today with some new real life loves who i'm so happy have joined me in the blog life!

today i had a really great day.
nothing amazing, but it felt great to be back at work and accomplishing a lot.
i'm happy to be healthy & safe this holiday.
i'm happy to give back & enjoy life.
you should join me..

and if you really want to get into the holiday season of giving, give water.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

in my recent quest to be a happy, healthier person i have tried to reduce medicine intake.
about three months ago i stopped taking a little pill that had been regulating my hormones for 7!years.
hell has come upon me.
my skins a mess.
today, 5am the cramps i once stopped by taking that pill, hit like fire.
my insides literally felt ripped apart.
i waited until 5:30 then stumbled to the bathroom for tylenol.
j watched in horror as i swallowed the tylenol, laid down for a minute..
then ran back to the bathroom to empty my stomach.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

back from florida.
after an 8 hour flight delay.

i hate calling out of work.
i've only done so once in th past two years.
i don't mind scheduling days off,
but hate calling in and leaving my clients/co-workers hanging.
today i called out.
i still feel anxious,
but knew i needed the sleep.

the next week will be crazy at work.
i slept til 7pm today my day off today was worth it.

received a phone call about future schooling.
setting my nerves on edge even more.
definitely need to schedule more relaxation time for the holiday season!

Sunday, December 6, 2009

what have i learned about being a wife in six months?
ha.
still not sure i consider myself a wife.
a partner yes.
funny how rules of life change.
i wonder if anyone feels similar.
i love to take care of my husband, but he does the same for me.
we both work hard to make a living.
share the cooking and he's even started sharing the cleaning.
our decisions are made together.
all decisions.

a wife, maybe.
i like being called his wife, but don't like the possessive connotation.
i'd rather be his partner.
his best friend.

yesterday we celebrated (in the most relaxed way, in florida) six months as official partners.
i don't feel as much has changed.
but then again i may just feel very comfortable with the change.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

cousin kevin graduated from the coast guard today!
he leaves on november 30 for virginia beach, va.
another reason to visit my 2nd favorite state? score!
& he received best shipmate award, voted by his company peers!

Sunday, November 22, 2009

When I post about auction trips I usually get a few questions, so I thought I'd do a quick Auction 101 lesson.

Where to find an auction? My favorite site auctionzip.com; type in your zip code & then click the day you want to hit up an auction

What auction to look for? Estate auctions tend to be smaller, smaller crowds/less items, and may be good for a first timer. Larger auctions that are held weekly, biweekly and/or monthly are larger and will draw a large (sometimes high price) crowd. Avoid Holiday auctions, more people=higher prices. Larger auctions will have more items and sometimes you may be able to find great items mixed into box lots.

What are box lots? Large sales (and sometimes at smaller sales) box items for quick sale. You may get a great box (sometimes find the BEST items) or a bad box. Arrive earlier to look through box lots, however be careful not to point out expensive things in a box lot that would draw attention to other buyers or the auctioneer who can remove and item to be sold separate.

Ask if you can pull an item. If you want something specific ask the auctioneer to auction it separtely. This can be dangerous because you may draw attention to the object or you may get it cheaper because it's no mixed in with other items people may want.

At the auction:Bring chairs - something mom & I have learned the hard way, we pack folding chairs.
Some auctions only accept cash.WATCH YOUR PURCHASES, sadly there are people who take other people's items.
Dress comfy. Last weekend I wore jeans, Uggs, and a few layers of shirts for when I got hot/cold.
Bring a big car, you buy it you take it. (sometimes they may hold or deliver, but not always).
If you're going to bid, set a limit (i.e. $20) and go one over the limit (i.e. $22.5). Most people stop at large numbers 20/30/40/etc, if you go one above it might be enough to win the item.
Pay attention to multiple items being auctioned together. Price may be per item, i.e. $10 per item, 3 items your total will really be $30.
Pack a snack. Some auctions have food vendors, but not all.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

i've been waiting for a few days to get an order that i can use these stickers.
and two pretty packages are going out in the mail!
i love wrapping my sales in pretty tissue paper, pretty ribbon if it fits
& now these stickers add to the package!
any other suggestions to pretty up little packages?
i've been dying for pretty bubble envelopes and small boxes (that don't break the bank)!

Sunday, November 8, 2009

my husband turns 27 on monday, november 9, 2009.
last year this time we were in vegas.
two years ago, we officially started dating.
yeap, dating to marriage in two years. woop!
for 10 months i'm three years younger than him.
james michael, thank you for the best year of my life!

Thursday, November 5, 2009

last tuesday night after the new, new jersey governor had been announced i started reading the twitter posts under the trending topic "new jersey".
it was the same old babble.
the armpit of america.
maybe you should meet my new jersey.
we live in the pinelands of atlantic county.
peaceful & pretty.
last sunday mom and i took te scenic route home from her shop.
we drove through salem county.
which if you didn't realize you were in nj, you might think you were in the midwest.
it is a world away from that new jersey (the yankee fan nj).

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

becauseineedavacationfromreallife.
vacation.
december 3.
naples, FLORIDA.
love.
real life is okay.
just super busy.
hence, the lack of substantial baking/posting.
etsy is in full force.
after two weekends of stocking up on supplies the store should be booming soon.
which is great.
because i need spending money.
FOR VACATION.
okay, too much. i get it.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

last week i cleaned out my baking cabinet.
yes i have my own small baking cabinet where i stock my supplies.
i found mini pumpkin cupcake papers.

& i decided they needed to be used by october 31.summer posted this recipe, which turned out delish.
however, mine were not quite so pretty.
i haven't mastered the icing drizzle yet.
however, i'm sure my co-workers will appreciate the yummies in the AM.

in between baking/phillies/hokies.
i organized my vintage cookbook collection.
vintage cookbook collection?
yep, you heard right.
they will be gracing etsy, hopefully by the end of the weekend.
i'm amazed at the amount of cookbooks printed by ingredient producers.
why don't they continue that?
how much would you love to receive an entire cookbook on things to do with x?
i would.
here's a sneak peek:

hanging in PHILS lockerroom during our 'trash the dress'
are you sick of my phillies pictures yet?
no? that's good!
do you have phever yet?
i do.
& i'm hoping to spread it around my workplace.
have a REDoctober dress on.
need to find some REDnovember ensembles.
we beLEEve.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

when i decided to create this blog on my 24th birthday.
i wanted to make changes.
to appreciate.
to love.
to dream.to be happy.
i'm a work in process.
thankfully i found this sign here, for a daily reminder.

be thankful, for each. individual. day.
i've been finding each day too short.
mondays come too soon.
especially in the fall.
any time managing tricks?
household chore short-cuts?
i'd love some advice on how to make the best of my days!
but don't worry i'm slowly advancing on some long term goals :)
hopefully good news to follow!

if you like thoreau or whitman, you love burroughs.
more information on john burroughs can be found here.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

so when i started blogging last year about our wedding, it was pretty anonymous.
now, blogging about life in general, more of my friends & family have become followers.
& i'm super psyched that some of my friends have started blogging themselves.

are you a back aisle shopper?
i love target.
but i really love sales.
when i have extra time i search high & low
through the back of targets aisles.
the clearance section.
i picked up some great cookie cutters a few weeks ago.

obviously, i haven't used them.
i have not had any luck with sugar cookies.
does anyone have a good recipe they'd like to share?
&/or a good icing to decorate with?
please share the love!
(and check out your local target, back aisle style!)

Sunday, October 4, 2009

last night my family came together for dinner at red stone.
we said goodbye to my cousin.
he leaves for the us coast guard bootcamp monday.
aunt sue throws a party like no other.
including a cake from sweet eats bakery, a family tradition.